Unheard of... another post... three in a week... hold onto your shorts, this is a good one...
(I have no idea where that little ditty on the left is from, but I love it!) Progress- not perfection, right? Thanks to Facebook- the land of perpetual plagiarism...
Which brings me to today's topic...
Maintaining honesty (integrity) in today's world.
It IS possible. Sometimes, it's even entertaining...
A few nights ago, I had to mail out a few packages from a local office supply store that also does USPS/Fed-Ex, UPS, etc...
As I entered, I realized I needed the mailer packages, so I sauntered off to get the two I needed.
Approaching the area designated for "mailing," I saw that there were a plethora of people waiting to be served, and the two girls behind the counter were wrapped up in one particular (agonizingly demanding) customer.
It was interminably hot in the store. As I steeled myself for a long wait; drenched, I thought of the Uber rides I could be providing.
Needless to say, I forgot to pay for the shipping mailers in my hurry to leave.
Three Uber rides later, I was back at said store to pay for my envelopes. After taking a screen shot of the two (different) envelopes' SKUs, I headed off to the clerk I had dealt with earlier.
The clerk looked at me like I had three heads as I explained my visit's purpose.
She sent me off to another clerk to try and pay. After explaining my story repeatedly, he responded that he was shocked that I came back to pay for it. I told him that I answer to a Higher Authority that wouldn't appreciate me stealing.
He then proceeded to charge me for two of the smaller envelopes, rather than the larger and smaller - hence, too little. Negating the receipt, I was still pondering the math as I left the store.
As I was trying to get away leaving, the Holy Spirit prompted me to go back and explain, yet again, that I owed them money...
Wanting ever so much to actually leave the store, I strode back in again.
Visions of the movie Ground Hog Day filled my mind and dazed expressions of disbelief greeted me with the next set of obstacles clerks, as I again explained that I needed to pay more.
They ambled of to find the manager. He came back with them, and said, "Ma'am, while we really appreciate your honesty, let's just call this thing even. Have a nice night."
I just find it so curious that it was so shocking that I would want to make things right.
But yet and still, I maintain that I did the right thing. Lights in the darkness, right? ;)
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Sooo... this is definitely me. Bees, flies, slugs, mosquitoes, etc... just about any bug "bugs" me. Though flies are the absolute worst!
I can laugh now about this, but it brings an instant thought to my mind...
Of course! What ELSE did you expect? If there wasn't a parallel somewhere, you might be off watching mindless twerking videos or dreaming of T.S.O tickets... but yet, as ever, I digress...
What are the things that bug you the most? For me? One thing in particular just grates on me... chewing loudly... especially gum... if you stand next to me and slurp gum, you will probably see my panic stricken eyes scanning for exits.
How can you possibly get spiritual with this?!? I can see that wearisome look in your eyes.
Don't worry... I can!
Have you noticed that God is in the business of character building? I am thoroughly convinced that above all things, that is His favorite hobby...
The other night at church band practice, we were seated-listening to a speaker before we bounded up onto the platform in instant cacophony.
As the speaker was intently 'bringing it' on humility and selflessness, (insert ironic smile) I was aware that someone had stealthily crept in late and sat directly behind me.
Then IT happened... about twenty minutes of gum slurping... As I cringed and twisted uncomfortably in my seat like a gator on a line, I was finally rewarded with the words: "Ok, c'mon up front, let's pray."
FREE! I bounded up to the front like a lottery winner. To my utter horror, The Chewer came right up next to me. sigh...
As much as I hate the lessons, I DO know what's going on...
"My child, don't reject the Lord's discipline, and don't be upset when He corrects you. For the Lord corrects those He loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights." Proverbs 3:11,12
"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1:2-4
While gum chewing is in no way a trial, while I am grimacing, it's a good reminder of the "Pearls of the Process."
Meanwhile, I am going to invest in some earplugs.
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*Pic courtesy of Bitstrips
